Writers

Special Night for half-centurion's Coles and Vito

06 Mar 2013 Getty Images

As the Hurricanes prepare to host the Crusaders in their round three clash at Westpac Stadium, two players will don the Hurricanes jersey for their 50th appearance.

Dane Coles and Victor Vito which reach that milestone this Friday after they both began their Super Rugby careers in 2009. Coles was the starting hooker for the Hurricanes in their first game of the ‘09 season. He scored a try that evening, despite the side going down 22-26 to the Waratahs at home.

Vito made his debut a match later, starting at number eight against the Highlanders in Wellington, grabbing 22-17 win over the Southerners.

Both are now senior Canes players, with Vito is a 20 test cap All Black and Coles the most recent addition from the franchise to the black jersey. Hurricanes Head Coach Mark Hammett congratulated the two.

“These guys are proud Hurricanes and should enjoy the occasion as reaching your 50th cap is no small feat. Both Colesy and Vic have worked extremely hard to get there and that’s why they have also achieved higher honours with the All Blacks. They know there is a job at hand, and being the kind of guys they are, that will be their only focus on Friday night,” said Hammett.

Looking at this week’s line-up, only one change has been made to the starting fifteen. Vito moves to the back of the scrum and Brad Shields will start at six. On the bench, Ben May comes in to the number 17 jersey and Motu Matu’u has been bracketed with Ash Dixon for the match.

Not considered for selection this week due to injury includes Jack Lam (knee), Eric Sione (shoulder) and Blade Thomson (ankle).